5 Regional Sandwiches Around the States

Who’s hungry?!? If you aren’t yet you will be by the end of this article! Which of these delicious delicacies is your favorite?

The

Cuban

Florida

Photo by J. Kenji López

Originating from Cuban immigrant workers in Southern Florida, this ham + cheese sandwich packs in flavor through its multiple layers of ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, + mustard, all on Cuban bread. After assembly, the sandwich is pressed into a plancha (similar to a panini press) + served. Legend has it that the Cuban sandwich was a common lunch for cigar factory + sugar mill workers in Cuba and was brought to the states in the early 1900s.

The Maine Lobster Roll. The quintessential New England sandwich: cold lobster stuffed into a warm bun + served with melted butter or mayo on the side. The possibilities are endless with this roll - the toppings are totally customizable. As long as you butter and grill a New England hotdog bun + use fresh lobster, you’re golden. Although the roll is synonymous with Maine today, the sandwich actually has roots in Connecticut + didn’t gain popularity in the North Eastern state until 1970. While maybe not entirely Maine influenced, the sandwich is still a delicious staple in the state.

It’s a no-brainer. Travel to Wisconsin to have the best grilled cheese of your life (even better than mom’s). With the state boasting more national + international cheese awards than anywhere in the world, Wisconsin knows a thing or two about cheese. With every combination + variation of grilled cheese imaginable, you’ll never be bored or disappointed by ordering its famous sandwich in this dairy state.

With roots in Nashville, the Hot Chicken Sandwich is having a moment across the States. This crispy + spicy rendition on classic fried chicken is packed with flavor + spice, complemented with slices of buttery bread + served with pickles + chips. Panfried + marinated in buttermilk, the Nashville Hot Chicken traditional recipe uses two key ingredients: lard + cayenne pepper. Mixed together, they produce the iconic sauce. Hot Chicken has been a staple in the Nashville food scene and has been prepared in African-American communities for generations.

Thanks to Washington’s Vietnamese population, this Vietnamese-French sandwich is popular in the Pacific Northwest. Banh Mi is served in a baguette, split length-wise, + consists of a fusion of meats and vegetables. Known to include cucumber, carrots, + daikon along with jalapeños + mayo, this sandwich is perfect for a light lunch + is usually filled with pork belly, Vietnamese sausage, or pâté. Fusing Asian, European, + American flavors together, it’s no surprise that the Banh Mi is so popular in this state.